By Ehichioya Ezomon
It’s rare to see Nigerian politicians implementing their Manifestos – if they ever unveiled any before they’re elected – or promises made to the electorate during campaigns. Once sworn into office, they operate a rule-of-the-thumb policy of pick-and-choose which projects or programmes to execute based on populism or a quick return on electoral investments.
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s chosen to be different, as he diligently follows his “programme of actions” encapsulated in his administration’s SHINE (Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education) agenda at the heart of Edo’s transformation; and as he’d promised to Edo voters during the campaigns for the September 21, 2024, election, which he won on the platform of then-opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
As the morning shows the day, the governor, credited to’ve “hit the ground running,” hasn’t slowed down! He’s always on the move, away from the comforts of the Dennis Osadebey Avenue Government House in Benin City, monitoring execution of ongoing projects that’ve turned Edo State into a “huge construction site” – to the admiration, appreciation and applause of majority of Edolites, and derision and denial by others, who’ve continued the bitter politicking of the poll and disposal of the petitions and appeals therefrom in favour of Okpebholo.
While it’s impossible to site projects in all nooks and cranies of Edo State within his one year in the saddle, Okpebholo’s MO is to return to communities he’d visited during the campaigns, to fulfil the promises he made to them, explaining that ongoing projects across the state “are based on the real needs of communities,” and that his leadership is “guided by firsthand experience of residents’ challenges.”
For example, as reported by PUNCH on January 6, 2026, Okpebholo, at a meeting with members of the Akpakomiza Movement for Tinubu, during a town hall meeting in Benin City, said development should be seen as a collective success driven by the will of the people, reiterating that his administration “remains focused on one mission: delivering visible, people-centred development across the state.”
The governor recalled a campaign visit to Temboga, in Benin City, noting that the scale of gully erosion there left a lasting impression on him and influenced his development priorities. “I went to Temboga, and I couldn’t even walk inside because of the depth of the gully erosion. I promised the people I would return if elected, and I kept that promise. Today, the results (of remedial action there) are visible,” he said.
“Without your votes, I wouldn’t be here. So, there is no special ‘thank you to me.’ What we are seeing today belongs to all of us. Development should not be seen as a personal achievement of the governor but a collective success driven by the will of the people,” he said, adding, “You voted for me for a reason, and that reason is the development of Edo State. I have a clear vision to move Edo from being ancient to a modern state, and I am not losing focus.”
Okpebholo saying “he’s not losing focus” is a subtle rebuttal of tribal jingoists, parading as opposition elements, who’ve railed against him for allegedly marginalising the Bini (Benin) of Edo South in appointments to the cabinet, and other governmental bodies (which I’ve dealt with in part (2) of this copy of Monday, January 5), and siting of projects across the state.
Besides the revival of Edo Line Transport in Benin City launched in July 2025 with 100 buses; over 220 schools being renovated statewide; and other projects and works, what could be more than the first-ever two flyovers located in the heart of Benin City – the political, administrative, economic, traditional and cultural headquarters of the Midwestern Region, later renamed Bendel State that birthed Delta and Edo States!
The multi-billion naira iconic legacy projects at the Ramat Park roundabout in Ikpoba Hill, Aduwawa, and Adesuwa Junction on Sapele Road are sited principally to ease the traffic gridlocks that’ve become both “daymarish” and nightmarish to motorists, commuters and pedestrians, and traders and customers, especially on Aduwawa market days.
In the words of the state-owned The Nigerian Observer of October 12, 2025, “Soon after Governor Okpebholo was sworn into office, he took Edo people by surprise when he flagged off the construction of the first ever record-breaking flyover at Ramat Park, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, with the flyover now at 60% completion stage.
“Also, to the admiration of Edolites, the people’s action governor flagged off the construction of a second flyover at Adesuwa junction, Sapele Road, Benin City. Work has now commenced at the flyover thereby making the construction of the first and second flyover in Edo State running simultaneously. This feat by Okpebholo’s administration is something that has never happened in the history of Edo State since it was created in August 1991.
“These historic flyovers, when completed, will help in reducing congestion, ease flow of traffic and modernize Benin City’s transport layout, as Edo State is the gateway between the North and the South, East and West, as well as South and the Western region of Nigeria.”
At the groundbreaking of the Ramat Park Flyover, Governor Okpebholo, as reported by BUSINESSDAY on November 19, 2024, said: “We have gathered to witness the beginning of a very important project that will transform the economy and social fortunes of our capital city and indeed Edo State. Ramat Park is a gateway to Benin City and other parts of the country.
“Therefore, Ramat Park Flyover will provide a new lease of life for motorists in Benin City and communities along these two corridors; the Benin-Auchi Expressway and the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
“During our campaigns a few months ago, I specifically promised to construct flyovers to ease transportation and reduce the traffic gridlock in our city. Today, one week into my administration, we are here to fulfil that promise and deliver the dividends of democracy.
“This is the first flyover we are constructing and we are going to construct more. There will be one by Dawson Road junction and another one by Sapele Road/Adesuwa Road junction.
“Benin City was the first capital city of Africa when the Europeans first came to the continent in the 14th century. So, we must give the city a befitting facelift to also encourage the development of tourism.”
Other durable construction and/or reconstruction projects in Edo South, include: A 14-kilometre road and erosion control concrete drainage network at Ogheghe, old Sapele Road and Ekae Road, linking Agip, Ohogbohi and Ogheghe communities; the Sapele Road bypass; ongoing works on the extended Ekenwan Road; and the 1.4-km Charismatic (Church) Road off Ekenwa Road.
There’re also the reconstruction of the Benin-Sapele-Warri Road; Benin-Agbor-Asaba Road with durable concrete specifications; Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi Road/Ujuelen stretch repairs and reconstruction; Benin-Auchi Road (Obadan Junction to Iruekpen); the Upper Mission Road, Benin City; and the 5.86-kilometre road project, with a 4.3 kilometre drainage, linking Amagba and Obagie-N’Evbuosa – favouring majorly Edo South.
As Okpebholo continues inspection tours of these road projects in Edo South, aimed at separating serious contractors from those failing to meet agreed standards, he’s warned about revoking delayed contracts and those not meeting with specifications. He gave such a warning on January 4, 2026, in Benin City, as reported by The Whistler.
“We’ve gone round several places today. We were at Church Road, Upper Ekenwan Road and we were not too happy with the contractor there. We have made our observations to the contractor on the need to meet with specifications and by the time we return next time and nothing has happened the way we want it, we can revoke that job,” Okpebholo said.
Expressing satisfaction with the quality of work at other project sites, and commending the contractors he described as committed and professional, Okpebholo said: “We have gone to three other places and I can see that everything is going well. I am very happy with the contractor handling the job in Ogheghe; they are doing a very good job. I am also very happy with the contractor handling the Sapele Road. They are doing a very good job.”
The governor stressed that his administration would not tolerate unnecessary delays, particularly as the rainy season draws near. Noting that road construction “remains a core priority of his government,” he declared: “We will continue to monitor these projects closely even at weekends. We won’t waste time because there is no time. The rainy season is almost here, and if we are not working, that means nothing will be achieved.”
Governor Okpebholo’s efforts got a boost when members of the Edo State House of Assembly undertook a comprehensive oversight inspection of several infrastructural projects in Edo South. Led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Atu Osamwonyi, the other lawmakers were Hon. Addeh Isibor, Hon. Yekini Idaiye, and Hon. Ugabi Kingsley.
The Guardian reported on December 10, 2025, that Osamwonyi, who spoke during an assessment tour of the Sapele Road flyover, said the lawmakers were in the field to verify the progress of work and ensure that funds appropriated by the Assembly were judiciously utilised, describing the flyover as “representing a milestone for Benin City,” and reflecting Okpebholo’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
“In my entire life in Edo State, this flyover project is the first of its kind. We are here physically, and work is ongoing,” Osamwonyi said, adding that unlike past administrations, “which approved funds with no tangible results,” the Okpebholo-led government “has demonstrated transparency and visible delivery.”
Stating that the House members had inspected the Ramat Park Flyover the previous day, Monday, December 9, the Deputy Speaker noted that progress was similar. “This is the fifth site we have visited since yesterday. We are impressed with what we have seen so far, and as a House, we will stand by the governor to ensure he finishes strong,” he said.
At the Ogheghe, Old Sapele Road and Ekae Road, with a 14-kilometre road and concrete drainage network underway, Osamwonyi described the construction as unprecedented, and expressed surprise at the level of work done within a short period, even as he insisted that the legislature “does not play politics with accountability and would speak the truth at all times.”
“If Governor Okpebholo was not doing well, we would say it. But I stand here today to affirm that the funds appropriated are being used judiciously for the benefit of the people,” he said, and commended Okpebholo “for delivering projects that many believed were impossible” despite limited financial resources.
At Ogheghe community that’s suffered from severe road degradation that made access impossible, even for motorcycles, Osamwonyi said: “But today we are standing here with joy. The governor has brought democracy to Edo in a way the people can feel,” adding that with the pace of implementation, the project contractors had confirmed that the work would likely be completed within one year and six months rather than the initial timeline two years.
“That tells you that Governor Okpebholo is not eating Edo people’s money,” he said, stressing that the Assembly would resist any attempt to derail the governor’s momentum. “This is the continuity we want in Edo State. Anybody who wants to thwart the governor’s efforts, we will not agree,” he added.
The state Commissioner for Works, Engr. Felix Akhabue, who accompanied the legislators on the inspection tours, said Governor Okpebholo had given “strict directives to monitor all contractors and ensure adherence to specifications, stating that the Ministry of Works “has been following the construction of the Adesuwa Junction Flyover “bumper to bumper.”
Noting that the Assembly’s involvement strengthens accountability, Akhabue added: “The lawmakers did not just appropriate funds; they want to see how the money is being used. Their presence keeps us on our toes because Edo people are waiting for the completion of these projects.”
As The Nigerian Observer summarised: “The implications of the record-breaking infrastructure that the Okpebholo administration is embarking on will help stimulate economic growth, as better roads and connectivity lower transportation costs, open up markets for goods, and attract investment. It will improve access to healthcare and underserved regions to enhance quality of life.
“Similarly, the flyovers, drainage works, and the concrete work being done on major roads will bring about better public transport, ease urban congestion and improve city livability. These laudable projects will also increase high expectations from the citizens, and as successes build, public demand for accountability and visibility of results also rises.”
Rather than vilification and tribal-tagging him, Senator Okpebholo deserves accolades for the visible projects he’s initiated – some of them iconic and unprecedented – even as yet-to-be-reached communities will have their dreams and expectations fulfilled in the almost three years still ahead of the governor’s first term in office!
• _Mr Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
